As you have probably heard, the chickens are here! After 22 days in the incubator the big day had finally arrived. When we entered the classroom in the morning there were two beautiful black chicks in our incubator. Their feathers were already fluffed up. They probably hatched late at night. The next arrival came at about 9am and another one at recess.

The class had been very worried because on day 14 the incubator was left open while the class went to the Zoo. This left the eggs without heat for more than 6 hours. After candling the eggs it was only clear that the ducks eggs were still alive. Ducks swim in their shells and move around during candling. Day 21 came and went without any chicks hatching. Finally the first little hole appeared and we could hear the chicks chirp in their eggs. We sang to the eggs and they started rolling in response. At this stage it is very tempting to help the chicks hatch. However any interference is usually fatal. It took all of our restrained not to open the incubator. After 2 days of struggling they all made it safely. Welcome to the Blue Planet little guys!

Now it is time to observe chick behavior. Our chicks cry for us when they are left alone. They seem to like music and are very curious. Chicks are not supposed to eat or drink in their first 24 hours after hatching. Apparently our little guys didn’t get that memo. They started pecking on their feed right away.

Presumably half of our chicks will be roosters. If you or anybody you know is looking for a hand raised rooster, we might have two for you to choose from. Stay tuned for updates!

On Friday, the third grade (Room 14th) made a fantastic Fava Bean and Pancetta Bruschetta with the Fava Beans that they grew and harvested themselves. Everyone took turns and had a hand in each aspect of preparation. They were all eager to participate and excited to try the final result, especially once the pancetta and garlic started cooking! The fragrance wafted through the yard bringing more than one curious (and hungry) onlooker out to see what was going on.

Once the treat was finished, they invited the other two 3rd grade classrooms to come out and share the deliciousness. It was a huge success, as there were many requests for seconds and declarations of the “best thing ever!” Ask your child how they liked it.

1. Heat half the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the favas, season with the salt and pepper, and cook until the beans are tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, drizzle the remaining olive oil over the bread slices and toast in a 450°F oven for 5 to 6 minutes.
4. With the back of a fork, mash the beans in the pan until the mixture is chunky.
5. Spread the beans on the toasts and top with the pecorino, if desired.

Monarch Watch offers all the resources you will need. It is relatively easy to get potted milkweed at your local garden supply store. Our school grew milkweed from seed and you can read all about it right here. Monarch Watch will certify you to be an official Waystation with only 6 plants!

This caterpillar is about to make a chrysalis in our habitat.

If you plant it they will come. Monarchs can smell milkweed from up to 3 miles away. You will soon be able to observe the monarch life cycle in you own yard. Our class also keeps a plant in the classroom and the kids got to see all developmental stages up close. There is nothing like holding a monarch. They are surprisingly easy to handle and will happily rest on a child’s hand. You can even mark them with a tag before setting them free. Tagging kits can be purchased right here.

A monarch emerges in our classroom. He will rest and pump his wings for several hours before he is ready to be released.

Your class can also help collect data for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. Every monarch sighting will help provide important information. Gathering data is an important component of the scientific method.

What are you waiting for? Join the our school and become a Waystation! The monarchs thank you for your hospitality.

Did you know that many years ago the migration of the monarch butterfly went right through our own schoolyard? In the beginning of summer the beautiful butterflies would swoop over the top of Mount Washington Elementary School and then make their way over the Sierras on their journey North.

Room 6 has been very busy wondering what happened. Where are they? Are they using a different route? Are they still migrating? What has changed? A lot of big questions for first graders.

What a great subject to explore! Project based learning is a dynamic learning approach that connects different subject areas with real-life applications. Bringing the monarch butterfly back in the process? All the better.

The kids have conducted research and come up with an hypothesis. There is no milkweed on our yard. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed and drink the nectar from milkweed flowers.

There is nothing first graders can’t do when they put their minds to it. While the class was closing their eyes, visualizing the return of the monarch, incredibly, a real life monarch came fluttering by. Coincidence? The class didn’t think so.

Milkweed plants cost money and the children needed to find a way to raise funds fast. An opportunity presented itself during the annual Wolf Pack Run fundraiser. The class decided to create a lemonade stand. Considering the customers at the event it morphed into a coffee and lemonade stand. The children also decided on quiche, eggs, fruit, and other baked goods. Out came the cash register and room 6 made brisk business.

$ 304.65 later it was time to plant. The garden committee and the kids planted a butterfly garden right in front of the school. First the kids had to weed the area and clean up. Digging holes turned out to be much harder than anticipated, but with the help of our Mount Washington garden committee the job got done. The kids even created and placed “Butterfly Crossing Signs” throughout the freshly planted yard.

With the milkweed in place it is now time to wait and see. Will the monarch return? Will the hypothesis turn out correct? As we conduct research and collect data, room 6 is getting ready for another round in the scientific process. Stay tuned for updates!